New pedestrian bridge in Fairport is completed

The missing link for pedestrians passing through Fairport is now in place, thanks to a new bridge installed by the town of Perinton.

The pedestrian bridge crosses the Erie Canal at Cobb’s Lane and connects the canal trail with the opposite bank, which will then be linked to the Crescent Trail system that continues through Perinton.

It’s taken a decade to secure the land and funds needed to finish the project, but as he watched the final pieces of the pedestrian bridge raised into place on Friday, Town Supervisor Jim Smith said it was worth the wait. “It’s rewarding. It required a lot of perseverance,” said Smith.

The biggest obstacle, however, was acquiring the land on each bank from the State Canal Corporation. Once the town gained ownership of the land, the project was able to move forward.

The bridge arrived on Wednesday, and the pieces were later lifted by cranes from a floating barge. Part of the canal was blocked for five hours on Friday, Aug. 10 as the bridge was put into place. “I think it’s a major asset that will allow pedestrian linkage between the village and town,” said Smith.

As the foundation needs time to settle properly, the bridge will open to the public in November.